the truth unburried

The history of metal has been presented and one can see that is has gone through many hardship, yet it is still here today. Trials and publicity would normally destroy a music or culture, which metal is both. Yet, the genre continues on. The misconceptions trying to stop metal still exist today. The main argument is that is hurts children. Not physically, but rather mentally. It plants terrible ideas in their mind to commit felonies and disobey society. The biased against metal try to prove this by saying that its lyrics, themes, visual aids, and band members promote these actions. It is time to show people the real heavy metal. Metal does not hurt children. It protects them. Metal’s lyrics are actually very deep and meaningful. And the heavy beats, extreme tempo, and energetic power that flows through it helps kids manage their issues and express themselves. This first area that must be disproved is that metal has lyrics that promote delinquent behavior. To prove this we must ask the children who listen to it; why they listen to it. Jeffery Arnett recruits metalheads through a music shop and asks them this very question. The interviewed adolescents, “most often cited the musical talent and skill of the performers, especially guitar players”(Arnett 81). The youths look up to the musicians. They wish to be as talented as the artists of their genre, thus, enjoying the music for only the “harmful” lyrics is out of the question. So what about if the lyrics are actually poisonous and affecting the kids of heavy metal? In fact they are not harmful but rather they are very socially aware. The second most common answer for why the interviewees listened to heavy metal was the in depth lyrics. These lyrics were not promoting delinquencies but rather “the social consciousness” of the lyrics (Arnett 81). The young adults went on to give many examples of songs they loved not only for the sonic pleasure but also dealt with issues they believed need to be targeted in the world. For example, the terrible lyrics sung by the band Anthrax in their song “Indians” talks about the “injustices done to the Native Americans when the American West was being settled”(Arnett 81). Ozzy Ozbourne, the artist who is constantly under fire, wrote a song: “Revelation Mother Earth.” This song informs listeners about the horrors of the destruction of the environment(Arnett 81). The list of songs the kids cited goes on and on. There is no way that the lyrical content of heavy metal is corrupting the youth. Not only because the kids like the lyrics because they are social conscious and aware, but also because the lyrics are not harmful in anyway. The next idea that people need to be aware of is the positive affect metal has on adolescents. Now let me begin by saying that I do not disagree that kids may be mad or more aggressive. But I do disagree with how kids disperse their aggression. Adolescents interviewed admitted to listening to heavy metal “especially when they were angry”. Several also admitted to listening to heavy metal when they were more angry or frustrated. But, contrary to belief the youths of metal do not get rid of their pent up frustration by committing crimes or disobeying laws even though they may listen to it while in an aggressive mood. It actually acts as a tranquilizer and neutralizers their anger. Instead of promoting violence it actually, “had a purgative effect, relieving their anger and making them feel better”(Arnett 83). "These troubled kids, and troubled they may be, find a calming shrine in the music"(Kuska). This extreme music with such power and “child corrupting themes” actually neutralizes anger and turns kids away from committing crimes. Some of the respondents even went so far to say that it “’calms me down’”, “otherwise I’d lose control.” Four even said it induced a positive mood which was more cheerful and happy(Arnett 83). See, heavy metal does not corrupt youth, but rather helps the distraught kids deal and cope with their problems peacefully. Metal is not harmful. It is a helping hand and people need to be aware of this. Even if one does not like it, it must be understood that it does not hurt. Biases must leave metal. It is a sanctuary for those in need; not a poisoner of youthful minds.